🛂Work & Visa Guide in Belgium

If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you generally do not need a work permit. You have the right to live and work freely in Belgium.

If you are a non-EU citizen, you typically need both a visa (D-type for long stay) and a work permit or a Single Permit to work legally in Belgium.

For most non-EU employees, the Single Permit (Permis Unique/Enig Statuut) combines your residence and work permit into one document. Your employer initiates this process.

Beyond the Single Permit, specific categories exist, like researcher permits, highly qualified worker cards (European Blue Card), or temporary permits for certain sectors. Check your eligibility.

If you plan to be self-employed (freelancer, entrepreneur) as a non-EU citizen, you must apply for a Professional Card (Carte Professionnelle/Beroepskaart) before arriving.

If joining a family member, your visa type (family reunification) may grant you work rights, but confirm this with your local Belgian embassy or consulate.

For non-EU employment, your Belgian employer usually handles the work permit application on your behalf, so secure a job offer first.

Once your work permit is approved (or Single Permit issued), apply for your D-type visa at the Belgian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.

Prepare your passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), education diplomas, professional qualifications, and a clean criminal record certificate early.

You'll need a medical certificate from a doctor approved by the Belgian embassy or consulate to prove you are free of certain diseases.

Your employer submits the Single Permit application to the relevant regional authority: VDAB (Flanders), Le Forem (Wallonia), or Actiris (Brussels Capital Region).

Provide your employer with copies of your passport, diplomas, employment contract, and any other documents they request for the Single Permit submission.

Upon Single Permit approval and D-visa stamping in your passport, you can enter Belgium. The visa is typically valid for 90 days.

Within 8 days of arriving, you MUST register at your local commune (gemeente) house. This is the 'Déclaration d'arrivée' or 'Aangifte van aankomst'.

During commune registration, you'll receive an Annex 15, a temporary residence document, while your full residence permit is processed. Keep this safe.

After commune registration, local police will visit your declared address to confirm your residency. Ensure your name is on the doorbell or mailbox.

Once the police check is complete, you'll be invited back to the commune to collect your electronic residence card (Type A, B, or H depending on status).

Upon commune registration, you'll receive a national register number (NISS or BIS number). This is vital for all administrative tasks, including taxes and social security.

With your residence card or Annex 15, open a Belgian bank account. This is essential for salary payments and managing daily expenses in Euros (€).

Enroll with a health insurance fund (mutualité/mutuelle) for reimbursement of medical costs. This is mandatory once you start working and contributing to social security.

As a non-EU citizen, you must secure a Professional Card (Carte Professionnelle/Beroepskaart) before you can legally work as a freelancer or self-employed person in Belgium.

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens don't need a Professional Card. You can directly register your self-employment status after commune registration.

For the Professional Card, you must submit a detailed business plan outlining your activities, financial projections, and value to the Belgian economy.

All self-employed individuals must affiliate with a social security fund (e.g., INASTI/RSVZ) and pay quarterly contributions. This covers health, pension, and other benefits.

If your annual turnover exceeds a certain threshold, you must register for a VAT (BTW/TVA) number. This is done via a business counter or an accountant.

Business counters simplify registration for self-employed individuals, helping with NISS/BIS activation, VAT, and company number applications.

Belgian tax laws can be complex. Hiring a local accountant is highly recommended for managing your VAT returns, income tax, and social contributions.

Annually, you must declare your income to the Belgian tax authorities. This is primarily done online via the 'Tax-on-web' platform using your eID card reader or Itsme app.

Familiarize yourself with what constitutes taxable income and available deductions for self-employed individuals. An accountant can provide invaluable advice here.

Join local co-working spaces or professional networks to build connections and understand the local freelance market better, especially in cities like Brussels or Ghent.